Genset locomotive
A genset locomotive is a locomotive in which a number of smaller diesel engines are used rather than a single large engine. The term is short for "generator set."[1]
Aspects of gensets
A genset uses one to three small diesel engines to provide power. An operator is able to activate each engine as needed, with multi-engine gensets activating one for light work and more for heavier work, with excess engines turned off when the extra power is not needed.[1]
Advantages
- More efficient design.
- Longer service life.
- Fuel savings.
- Ultra-low emissions.
- Improved wheel to rail adhesion capability.
- With multiple engine gensets, should one genset engine fail, the others can keep the train going, albeit at reduced speed.
- Removing a genset engine requires smaller size crane, while a larger crane is required to remove a traditional diesel prime mover.[1][2][3][4][5]
Disadvantages
- More complex design.
- Greater capital cost.
- Greater deadweight.
- More engines, and the engines and generators do not use standard parts, reducing reliability.
- Multiple smaller truck type engines which lack the hardiness of a single large railroad type prime mover.
- Engineers do not like them because they are slow to get a cut of cars moving.[2][6][5]
Table of produced gensets
| Year | Country | Manufacturer | Model | HP | Engines | Axles | Gauge | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | India | Banaras Locomotive Works | WDM-2G | 2400 (3x800) | B-B | 1676mm | ||
| 2006 | United States | National Railway Equipment | NRE 3GS21B | 2100 (3x700) | Cummins | B-B | 1435mm | |
| 2014 | South Africa | Grindrod Locomotives | 0710 | 1067mm 1000 mm |
||||
| 2010 | United States | Railserve Leaf | 1200 (2x600) | Cummins QSX15-L3 |
B-B | 1435 mm | ||
| 201? | United States | MotivePower | MPI MP14B | 1400 (2x700) | Cummins QSK19C |
B-B | 1435 mm | |
| 2007 | United States | Railpower Technologies | Railpower RP14BD | 1530 (2x765) | Deutz BD2015 |
B-B | 1435 mm | |
| 2004 | United States | Railpower Technologies | Railpower GG20B Greengoat |
300; 2000 using supplemental battery |
Caterpillar C9 | B-B | 1435 mm | Large battery for extra power |
| 201? | United States | Progress Rail | Progress Rail PR43C | 4300 (1x3600 + 1x700) |
Caterpillar C175 C18 |
C-C | 1435 mm | |
| 20?? | United States | Brookville | Brookville BL20CG | 2100 (3x700) | Cummins | B-B | 1435 mm | |
| 20?? | United States | National Railway Equipment | NRE 2GS16B-AU | 1400 (2x700) | Cummins | B-B | 1435 mm | |
| 2013 | Germany | Bombardier Transportation | Traxx DE Multi-Engine |
2880 (4x720) | 1435 mm |
See also
References
- ^ a b c "What is a Genset locomotive?". Railserve Leaf. Archived from the original on 2015-02-19. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Lustig, David (February 20, 2023). "The controversial Genset locomotive". Trains. Archived from the original on 2023-02-28. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "N-Viromotive new locomotive". www.nationalrailway.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01.
- ^ "Locomotives". nre.com. National Railway Equipment Company. Archived from the original on 2022-03-28. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Technology - Genset". up.com. Union Pacific Railroad. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ DeBruler, Dennis (March 21, 2017). "Gensets are already dead". Industrial History. Archived from the original on 2018-03-01. Retrieved 28 February 2023.